Arizona women 3rd in Pac-10 after victory

By Craig Sanders
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 4, 1996

It may have been "Senior Night" at McKale Center, but a pair of sophomores showed that the future is now for the Arizona women's basketball team, which defeated Washington 78-63 Saturday night to claim sole possession of third place in the Pacific 10 Conference.

Arizona used a 25-point effort by forward Adia Barnes and a career-high 20 by guard DeAngela Minter, winning a game which UA head coach Joan Bonvicini called the most important victory in her five years with the Wildcats. The game was played in front of 2,416 Saturday night at McKale.

The win put Arizona (18-7 overall, 9-7 in the Pac-10) alone in third place in the Pac-10 with two games remaining. It also gave the Wildcats their first legitimate shot at being selected to the NCAA Tournament. The loss by the Huskies (14-13, 8-8) probably eliminates them from NCAA contention because of their inferior overall record.

"We are going to the NCAAs this year," Bonvicini said. "This team deserves to go. We have worked so hard all season. We had a lot of people step up tonight, and that is what you need if you want to go to the tournament."

Arizona's seniors may not have led the team in scoring, but they certainly provided the emotion and intensity the Wildcats thrive on. Senior point guard Brenda Pantoja, who leads the nation in assists, sparked the offense with 13 assists, while senior Andrea Constand scored 10 points and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds.

"These guys are the reason this team is successful and is going to continue to succeed and build a good future," Bonvicini said. "That is what they have brought to this program."

The first half was a typical close battle of two teams on the bubble for the tournament. The teams seesawed, with neither team gaining more than a six-point advantage. Washington attempted to use a perimeter game to bury the Wildcats, but hit on only 3-of-11 3-pointers in the first half and finished only 5 for 25 for the game.

The Wildcats led 36-34 at halftime, and quickly built a 10-point advantage, causing numerous turnovers that led to fast break points. Arizona attacked the inside of the defense with the post play of Barnes and the aggressive driving of Minter. Washington cut the lead back to three at one point, but after a timeout, Arizona went on a 10-0 run and led by double figures the rest of the way.

"This is definitely a game we needed to win, and we got the job done," Constand said. "I am very satisfied with my final game (at McKale). What more could you ask for? We beat a rival for a chance to get to the tournament. I went out playing hard. That is what I wanted to do."

The Wildcats outrebounded the Huskies 47-31, outshot them 48 percent to 36 percent and got to the free-throw line 19 more times. Arizona's only deficiency came on turnovers, where it committed 25, 14 by Pantoja. Center Gena Pelz lead the Husky attack with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Bonvicini kept Constand and Pantoja in the game until there were only 23 seconds remaining. They received a standing ovation, and as they walked off, Pantoja kissed the court.

"I love this team very much," Pantoja said in a post-game ceremony honoring the seniors. "I'll miss McKale Center, and I'll miss the fans who have supported us."

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